September 28, 2024 (Istanbul, Turkey): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) team, led by Mrs Fathia Alwan, Director of the Health and Social Development Division, participated in the 10th International Somali Diaspora Conference in Istanbul, Türkiye.
This year’s conference theme is “The Role of the Somali Diaspora,” aiming to celebrate the significant contributions of Somalis abroad to both their host countries and their homeland, while fostering a renewed vision of collective action. The Global Somali Diaspora Conference also aims to mark a decade of Global Somali Diaspora programmes and to unite and strengthen the Somali community both at home and abroad.
Representing H.E. Dr Workneh Gebeyehu, Executive Secretary of IGAD, Mrs Fathia Alwan emphasised IGAD’s unwavering commitment to empowering diaspora communities as catalysts for transformative development within member states and across the IGAD region.
Mrs Alwan highlighted that IGAD has initiated several efforts to attract and promote the contributions of the diaspora to the development of the sub-region. Firstly, in collaboration with the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and with support from the Swedish Government, IGAD is working with all member states to harmonise laws, standards, and procedures for remittances. Secondly, in relation to Somalia, IGAD has been at the forefront of advocating for debt relief, a goal that was achieved in December 2023.
“We are all aware of the importance of diasporas in migratory movements. Migration plays a significant role in lifestyle choices and contributes to the economic livelihood of the majority of the populations in the member states of our sub-regional organisation, IGAD,” Mrs Alwan stressed.
Furthermore, Mrs Alwan explained that available data indicates that the economies of IGAD countries are heavily dependent on remittances sent by diaspora communities originating from the sub-region. IGAD Member States received $6.4 billion in remittances, representing 3% of the total gross domestic product of the sub-region.
“We in IGAD could be at the forefront of advocating for a reduction in the cost of remittances from diaspora communities, which currently average around 9% for remittances to Africa – the highest in the world and three times higher than the 3% rate set for remittances under the Sustainable Development Goals,” she added.
The Global Somali Diaspora was founded in Istanbul in June 2014, with support from the Turkish Government, bringing together hundreds of people from the Somali diaspora to support their community and country.
